Kent council opposes Akron proposal to
divert water from Lake Rockwell

Published: July 10, 1997 12:00AM

By Diane Smith
Record-Courier staff writer
Kent City Council hopes to prevent Akron from diverting millions of gallons
of water from Lake Rockwell and the Cuyahoga River. Akron has proposed diverting
up to 5-million gallons of water daily from Lake Rockwell in Franklin Township
and Streetsboro, one of the city's main water supplies and site of one of
its water treatment plants. Council Wednesday asked Interim City Manager
William Lillich to attempt to negotiate with Akron representatives hoping
both sides can agree to: -- Minimize releases from the Lake Rockwell dam.
-- Compensation to Kent for additional water treatment costs they say would
result form the diversion.
-- Testing of oxygen levels below the dam.
-- Cooperative water conservation programs.
A copy of the resolution, voicing Kent's opposition and calling for talks
with Akron will also be sent to Gov. George Voinovich. The water would be
used to supply parts of Copley, Coventry and Springfield townships in southern
Summit County as part of three joint economic-development agreements.
Before putting the proposal into effect, Akron needs the approval of the
Council of Great Lakes Governors, because the diversion would take water
from Lake Erie and the Great Lakes watershed and send it to the Tuscarawas
River and Ohio River watershed.
Akron has proposed replacing the lost flow downstream from Portage County
by diverting water from Portage Lakes into two points along the Cuyahoga
River.
The Kent's environmental commission and the Kent Environmental Council have
opposed Akron's plan, saying it would reduce the already low water flow
in the river during the summer, cause more stagnant waters and create foul
odors in the river and make it less enjoyable to use and harming fish.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager Bob Brown said the plan would also raise
wastewater treatment costs because there would be less river flow to dilute
discharged wastewater, eventually leading to more stringent pollution control
guidelines for industry and putting the city ad a disadvantage for economic
development.
Kent Environmental Council President Harold Walker applauded council for
moving ahead with the resolution.
In other business, council approved a settlement between the city and Kent
residents Anthony and Elizabeth Missimi allowing them to build a home on
Sheri Drive on land the family owns.
The family asked for the permit in January, but had been unable to obtain
one because the site is past the end of the road and sewer and water lines
do not run there.
The city will pay for water and sewer lines to be extended 90 feet to the
property line. From there, the road extension and extension of utility lines
would be subject to a voluntary assessment paid by the Missimi family.
The work will be done this year if possible, but City Engineer Alan Brubaker
estimated the city won't start the road work until next year because it
is late in the construction season.